Having a rest in the Garden next to my office at work after a run.
30th March Wednesday.
Early bed tonight in preparation for day 1 of my personal challenge to run 160 miles in 10 days. this will be my “Dry Run” for the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days this coming May. This will also be the most running I have ever undertaken in 10 days. Lets see how the legs and my mind hold up to this intensive session of training.
Day 1
31st March Thursday, 14.23 miles, 2 hours 5 minutes 13 seconds
8mins 48sec per mile
I ran from home to work, via Leigh, Howe Bridge, Atherton, 4 Lane Ends, along the A6 passed Westhoughton, Blackrod, Aspull and down into Wigan where I work.
I woke up this morning to find I had a bit of a cold, I hope it doesn’t develop into too much, I don’t want it to affect this 10 day block of training. If things couldn’t start any worse I opened the back door to be greeted with RAIN and WIND, Super! At least it was fairly mild, according to a digital read out above a shop front in Atherton it was 9 degrees C.
As the run continued the weather dried up and the sun came out towards the end. The wind stayed fairly blustery, sometimes being quite helpful but at other times, especially going though Aspull, anything but. The highlight of the run was definately running along the canal in Wigan near Top Lock where it passes the back of the Hovis factory, wonderful baking smells, lovely scenery and no traffic.
7.01 miles, 52 minutes 4 seconds
7 mins 26sec per mile
I ran straight home from work via the local trails. The weather had improved from this morning. The wind had died down, the sun had come out and it was pleasantly warm.
The run was uneventful and very pleasant in the nice weather. I noticed my average rate per mile was very good for a day with alot of running at 7mins 26sec per mile.
Day 2
1st April Friday, 14.24 miles, 2 hours 3 minutes 44 seconds
8 mins 41sec per mile
I ran from home to work the same route as yesterday. I started very early as I had a lot to do at work. I must admit I was feeling very tired this morning and it was difficult to get into running mode. The weather was slightly milder at 12 degrees C acording to the shop in Atherton. It was much more cloudy today and windy.
The worst bit of the run was at the top of the hill in Aspull where it was very exposed with a strong head wind. A mile later I was at my favorite spot along the canal, sheltered from the wind enjoying the smell of the fresh baked Hovis bread, fabulous. Its interesting how the highs and lows of running can come so close together.
Day 3
2nd April Saturday, 10.15 miles, 1 hours 19 minutes 42 seconds
7 mins 51sec per mile
I went for a run from home before breakfast, via Howe Bridge, Atherton, Tyldesley, Mosley Common, Astley and back to Leigh. The weather was very cloudy, breezy but surprisingly mild. It has been a very long time since I have run in shorts and a T-shirt before breakfast. As it was early the roads were very quiet and there wasn’t much to see. I was very pleased to be feeling good and running inside 8 minute miles.
Day 4
3rd April Sunday, 26.24 miles, 3 hours 28 minutes 25 seconds
7 mins 57sec per mile
Taunton Marathon, a 2 lap fairly flat and fast road course. The weather was mild about 10 degrees, little wind and very bright. During the latter stages the sun came out and started to really warm things up. Just finished before the heavens opened and we got a heavy April shower. I was very pleased with my run which I ended up running harder and faster than I planned, with even splits. My time was 3 hours 28 mins 25 seconds. Should be interesting how this fairly hard effort run effects me tomorow.
Day 5
4th April Monday, 11.76 miles, 1 hours 40 minutes 39 seconds
8 mins 34sec per mile
I ran home from work in Wigan via Hindley, Platt Bridge, Lowton, the trails round Pennington Flash and Leigh. The weather was cool, dry with a strong blustery wind thankfully mostly favourable. I was feeling very tired and not really in the mood for a run. I was pleased that my legs weren’t aching after the marathon yesterday but they did felt quite heavy. As I got into my run I was very pleased that I was able to simply keep running at a good pace even though I felt so tired. I expect to be feeling like this alot during the 10 in 10 and this is the reason for this block of training.
Day 6
5th April Tuesday, 12.12 miles, 1 hours 46 minutes 28 seconds
8 mins 47sec per mile
I ran to work via Atherton, 4 Lane Ends, the A6 to Westhoughton, Hindley to my work in Wigan. The weather was very cloudy but calm and mild. My legs are still not particularly sore from my running but they are becoming increasingly heavy and it is getting mentally hard to motivate myself to run.
7.02miles, 57 minutes 11 seconds
8 mins 9sec per mile
The weather was fairly warm, calm with light cloud. I ran home from work through Hindley Green and the local trails. My legs are holding up well finishing with a 7 min 20 sec mile. I am very pleased with the way I’m coping with this intense batch of training.
Day 7
6th April Wednesday,18.3 miles, 2 hours 44 minutes 38 seconds
9 mins 0 sec per mile
The weather was fairly warm, calm, light cloud with the sun occassionly poking through. I ran to work via Howe Bridge, Atherton, 4 Lane Ends, along the A6 to Blackrod, Aspull, Red Rock, Standish and down into work at Wigan. This route is quite hilly and is a good course to practice on as it resembles the hills of the Windermere marathon.
I’m pleased how my body is holding up. I have a slight pain at the back of my right knee. My right achillies seems to always have a little niggle and is a bit more sore than usual but fine. My leg muscles are not aching but are sore if pressed as if they are bruised, especially my calf muscles. The biggest problem I’m finding is how weary I’m starting to feel. I expect this will be a major factor during the 10 in 10.
I’ve done 121.07 miles in 7 days a new record for me and on target for this 10 day challenge.
Day 8
7th April Thursday, 14.05 miles, 1 hours 58 minutes 27 seconds
8mins 26 sec per mile
The weather was fairly warm, plenty of sunshine but quite windy.
I ran home from work in Wigan, via the canal to Top Lock, Aspull, Blackrod, along the A6 to 4 Lane Ends, Atherton, Trails to Leigh and finally home.
My legs seem to be holding up to this punishment very well. It is the rest of me that seems to be suffering. I’m feeling very weary and could do with some rest and a bit more sleep than I have had over the last couple of days. On top of the tiredness the bit of a cold I’ve had all week is much worse today. I’ve had lots of sneezing and often had to blow my nose. I felt like I could have done without running today but after 3 hilly miles I got into the run and suprised myself by managing another steady very reasonable paced run. I’m very pleased with my progress so far and now only 2 days of this challenge to go.
Day 9
8th April Friday, 12.14 miles, 1 hours 46 minutes 44 seconds
8mins 48 sec per mile
The weather was cool, plenty of sunshine, lovely and calm, unlike last night. I ran from home to work via Howe Bridge, Atherton, 4 Lane Ends, A6 to Chequerbent, Westhoughton, Hindley to work in Wigan.
I still have my cold but it is not effecting my running and I beginning to wonder whether it is a cold or my hayfever coming on very early this year. If I had such a cold I would have expected it to be seriously effecting running long distances. Apart from feeling tired and weary from all the running, a couple of miles into the run I got into my grove and managed another fair paced run without any difficulty. It is a great time of the year to run when the weather is good and the early morning is gloriously sunny. Such a change from 2 or 3 months ago in the dark and the cold. One day of this challenge left and one of my favorite races the Coniston 14plus, I’m really looking forward to it.
Day 10
9th April Saturday, 16.75 miles, 2 hours 7 minutes 58 seconds
7mins 38 sec per mile
The weather was very warm and getting hot towards then end, plenty of sunshine, lovely and calm. Like a fantastic summers day! I needed the daffodils to remind me it was only early April. Its a very long time since I’ve been in shorts, a running vest and wearing sun cream.
I was running the Coniston 14 plus today. One of my favorite races, quite a tough hilly road race but the setting and scenery are just outstanding.
After running a very high mileage for the last 9 days I wasn’t expecting to be able to do anything quick today and if I managed something near to 8 minute miling I would have been pleased. Finishing as quick and as strong as I did has amazed me to what I’m capable of.
Total distance covered over the 10 days, 164.01 miles
Mission accomplished!
